Continually updated: New Sony lenses now official!

Preview:
Zeiss preview and samples on Dpreview and Amateur Photographer

Press release:
Photoscala (german)
Dpreview
Focus Numerique (french)
CNET news
First press release on Quesabesde (google english translation)

1) Zeiss SSM 24mm f/2.0: Fullframe lens of 9 elements in 7 groups and 550 grams. 19cm close focus distance. Available late September for €1,250!
2) Sony 85mm f/2.8: Fullframe lens 175 grams. Available late September for €250!
3) Sony SAL DT 35 mm f/1.8: APS-C lens, 170 grams, 23cm close focus. Available mid October for €200!

Press release:

Sony expands A-Mount lens line-up for Alpha DSLR cameras with three new lenses


Sony is expanding its already strong line-up of over 30 A-mount lenses with new models that will appeal to seasoned photographers and those new to DSLR cameras alike

  • The Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20Z) features the acclaimed Carl Zeiss Distagon design and rounds out the existing Planar (SAL85F14Z) and Sonnar (SAL135F18Z) models also developed in conjunction with Carl Zeiss. It is intended to appeal to experienced photographers looking for a large-aperture wide-angle lens of real distinction.
  • The DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18) adds the important 35mm focal length to the ‘Easy Choice’ series. ‘Easy Choice’ is intended to provide great value, compact and lightweight lenses that are attractive to entry-level and advanced photographers alike. Each lens in the series is selected for a specific purpose, for example portraiture or macro.
  • The 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28) is another ‘Easy Choice’ lens, this time offering the 85mm focal length considered the standard for portraiture because of the natural perspective it provides. True to type it is extremely compact and light, weighing just 175g.

The Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM (SAL24F20Z)
The Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM (SAL24F20Z) functions as a wide-angle 24mm lens on full-frame cameras with 35mm sensors, or as a 36mm equivalent lens ideal for general use on cameras with APS-C sensors. Jointly developed with Carl Zeiss, it features the highly-regarded Carl Zeiss Distagon retro-focus lens configuration designed for wide-angle lenses.

This lens is distinguished by its fast response focus and extremely quiet, very smooth operation thanks to its built-in SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor).

It offers a wide and therefore highly versatile focal range from 0.19m to infinity, and features a nine-blade circular aperture that along with the large F2 maximum aperture contributes to smooth, natural bokeh effects.

In keeping with traditional Carl Zeiss design, the all-metal lens barrel has been finished to a very high standard resulting in a visibly high-quality appearance.

The DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18)
Part of the ‘Easy Choice’ series, offering photographers at all levels great value, compact and lightweight lenses, the DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18) weighs just 170g. It can be added to a lens kit system and carried without noticeably increasing the weight of the bag.

With an approximately 50mm (35mm equivalent) focal length on an APS-C sensor, this lens is ideal for snapshots and portraits under a wide range of shooting conditions. The high-speed F1.8 maximum aperture is particularly advantageous for hand held shooting in low light.

At just 0.23 metres, the DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18) has the shortest minimum focus in its class, making it an excellent choice for dramatic close-ups too. Whatever the shot, the internal Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) drives the focussing group directly and ensures responsive and fluid autofocus operation.

The 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28)
This is the first full-frame lens in the ‘Easy Choice’ range, so its launch represents an important development of the line-up as a whole. The 85mm focal length is a standard for portraiture because of the natural perspective that it provides. On an APS-C sensor camera the 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28) functions as a 127.5mm (35mm equivalent) telephoto lens – and features a Sonnar-type optical design that is considered ideal for mid-range telephoto lenses.

The lens is sharp center to corner, and features smooth defocusing thanks to its large F2.8 maximum aperture and circular aperture design. At 0.6 metres, the minimum focusing distance is the shortest in its class, and SAM motor technology ensures smooth autofocus operation.

The quality optical and mechanical features of the lens mean it is suitable for serious photography and should more than satisfy intermediate to advanced users.

Sony Carl Zeiss Distagon 24mm F2, DT 35mm F1.8 SAM and 85mm F2.8 SAM specifications

Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM
(SAL24F20Z)
DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18)
85mm F2.8 SAM
(SAL85F28)
Street price • TBC (US)
• £1100 (UK)
• € 1250 (EU)
• TBC (US)
• £ 175 (UK)
• € 200 (EU)
• TBC (US)
• £ 220 (UK)
• € 250 (EU)
Focal length 24mm 35mm 85mm
Maximum aperture F2 F1.8 F2.8
Lens Construction • 9 elements/7 groups
• 2 ED glass elements
• 2 aspherical glass elements
• 6 elements/5 groups • 5 elements/4 groups
Minimum focus 0.19m 0.23m 0.6m
Maximum magnification 0.29x 0.25x 0.2x
AF motor type Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM)
Filter thread 72mm 55mm 55mm
Supplied accessories • Hood
• Case
• Front & Rear caps
• Hood
• Front & Rear caps
• Hood
• Front & Rear caps
Weight 555g 170g 175g
Dimensions
78mm diameter x 76mm length
70mm diameter x 52mm length
70mm diameter x 52mm length

Photoscale.de: New Cosina and Novoflex Adapter!

Image courtesy: photoscala.de

Cosina Japan annonced the new VM-E Adapter (M-mount to E-mount), F-E-mount Adapter (Nikon F), K-E-mount Adapter (Pentax K-mount) and SC-E-mount (Nikon S-mount) Adapter. You can choose the black or silver version! They will be available in netween August and September and cost 19.800 Yen (180 Euro).
P.S.: the Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)!

Also Novoflex announced new adapter which will be available starting form August:
Canon FD, Contax / Yashica, Leica M, Leica R, M42, Minolta MD, Minolta AF / Sony Alpha, Nikon F, Olympus OM, Pentax K und T2. The price will be between 89 an 350 Euro,The NEX-Adapter for Nikon, Minolta AF and Pentax K do have an aperture ring!
There will be also a new Novoflex adapter for Hasselblad-V-, Pentax-6×7- und Mamiya-645 Lenses!!!

Source: photoscala (google english translation)

POLL: Select the 5 Alpha mount lenses you want!


Dear readers!
Your vote matters! Let Sony know what new Alpha lenses you want!

UPDATE: Keep voting until Monday! Invite your friends to vote. More we are more Sony will take us in consideration!

Some notes:
– Please read all the list before voting!
– You can choose a maximum of five lenses.
– Most of the times for the same focal lenght you have different aperture lenses. Usually fast lenses or Zeiss lenses will be very expensive. That’s why you also have slower lens options (if you are on budget or want smaller lenses select that option)
– If you voted a wrong lens contact me. I can change your vote
– The list is very approximative. I learned that everyone has different wishes and I can’t make a list with 300 lenses :) So if you don’t find the lens that exaclty fits your wish try to find a similar lens. What matters is that Sony understands what more or less people is waiting for.
– If I missed to add an important lens contact me. I will add it quickly!
– The list is ordererd by focal lenght (widest lenses on top)
– You can still suggest new lenses for the E-mount poll! The E-mount lens poll will follow in few days.

IMPORTANT: Our comment system has a bug. Not all comments will be displayed (but as administartor I can read them all). I still havn’t figured out how to fix that :(

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UPDATE: New Voigtlander Leica M to Sony NEX E Mount Adapter on eBay (Ships in August)

I really didn’t know that Voigtländer made a Leica M to Sony E-mount adapter! I have been surprised when one of our readers (Thanks Joseph!) sent us the link to the adapter on eBay: Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here)Voigtlaender M-mount to E-mount adpater on eBay (click here) (it is probably the most expensive adapter I have ever seen!)

UPDATE: Here the link to the official Cosina website: http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/acce/adapter/e-vm.html

Sony TidBits (with first VG10 sound demo and new NEX reviews)


Sony NEX-VG10 Handycam camcorder sound demo

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Sony Alpha A390 and A290 DSLRs hands-on (Engadget)
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Sony NEX-5Sony NEX-5Sony NEX-5, Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10Samsung NX-10 and Panasonic G2 Shootout on Popphoto
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Sony 20mm f/2.8 lens review on Kurtmunger
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My Ten Reasons to Buy the NEX-3 Over the NEX-5! (RiceHigh)
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What NEX(t)? The new Sony Nex-5- a field trial (Thony Bridge)
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Sony NEX-5 Hands-On Review (Photographybay)